463. Chapter 461 The Beginning of Mars Hitting Earth!
463. Chapter 461 The beginning of Mars hitting the Earth!
Author: Thief Cao
Chapter 461 The beginning of Mars hitting the Earth!
At 19:30 BJ time, the game signal was connected to the LeTV Sports live broadcast room on time.
Today is the 19th day of the first lunar month in China, it’s 3:30 in the morning, but Zhan Jun and Zhang Lu are in high spirits.
Maybe it's because the Chinese New Year has just passed, so these two Haha generals are still dressed in particularly festive outfits today.
Zhan Jun was wearing a black suit with a little bit of gold shining on the suit, as if he was going to a dance.
Zhang Lu, on the other hand, was all red, radiant, and dressed like a red envelope.
As soon as the live broadcast signal was connected, Zhan Jun faced the camera and smiled: "Welcome to watch the 2016-17 Champions League quarter-finals match between Manchester City and Monaco."
"Since leaving Barcelona in 2013, Bayern coached by Pep Guardiola has continuously reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, but unfortunately they failed to reach the final."
"Now that Guardiola is back, he seems to have bad luck. He runs into one of the teams with the strongest offensive capabilities this year."
"Guardiola said at the media conference before the game that the whole of Europe is watching us and analyzing us. If we lose, we will be criticized endlessly. If we win, we will be praised. This is
It’s a very different experience.”
"In addition, he also said that he was very impressed with Monaco. Monaco's players are very strong, the full-backs play like wing-backs, the wing-backs play like attacking midfielders, and the forwards
Everyone is a fighter and a killer in the penalty area. They don’t need too many chances to score. Monaco is a team that pays attention to overall coordination and will be a severe test for Manchester City.”
"So Zhang Zhi, what do you think of this game?"
"What do you think?" Zhang Lu chuckled, "Of course I'll sit down and watch!"
"Haha!" Zhan Jun didn't expect Zhang Lu to be so naughty today, and was instantly amused enough to throw his head back and laugh.
The joy of the two generals also infected many fans in front of the screen, and everyone couldn't help but smile.
Soon, Zhang Lu returned to the topic and said: "Well, I personally think that the key factor whether Manchester City can advance in this game is whether they can keep Monaco clean."
"Manchester City drew Monaco in the lottery ceremony. It seems lucky, but in fact this draw is considered inferior. Because under Monaco's strong offensive firepower, the weaknesses of Manchester City's defense may be amplified."
"Although the recent performance of Manchester City's defense has obviously improved with the return of captain Kompany, it is difficult to say whether this change is an illusion. He has not been tested by a strong team."
"Manchester City's defense in the Champions League this season is as unstable as the league. They conceded 8 goals in six Champions League group stage games, which is the most goals conceded in the group stage among all teams that have entered the knockout rounds this season."
"Because of the away goal advantage rule, the most important thing for a team that plays at home in the first leg of the two rounds is to keep the goal."
"But this is probably a bit difficult. Monaco has a very strong offensive power. It depends on the performance of Manchester City's defense."
"Once Monaco scores two or more away goals, Manchester City will be passive in that round."
After he finished speaking, the live broadcast footage showed the starting lineups of both sides.
Manchester City:(4141)
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Fernandinho
Midfielder: Yaya Toure
Midfielder: Sterling, De Bruyne, Chu Zheng, Leroy Sane
Forward: Aguero
"Compared with the last round of the Premier League, Manchester City's starting lineup has three important changes in the front and backcourt."
"For the goalkeeper position, with Ederson's stable performance, it can basically be said that Bravo has been abandoned by Guardiola."
"In this game, Guardiola was unexpectedly bold and used England right back Kyle Walker, who had just arrived in the team, and Fernandinho was also placed in the left back position."
"Today none of the veterans like Zabaleta, Sagna, and Kolarov started. This shows that Guardiola attaches great importance to defense in this game."
"On the front line, Guardiola also replaced Jesus, who has been in very good form today. This may be related to the recent recovery of Aguero's form."
"Of course, it may also be to break the recent rumors that Aguero will transfer next season."
"In the first few rounds of the Premier League, after Brazilian youngster Jesus performed well in several consecutive starts, rumors about Aguero were flying everywhere."
"There is talk that Aguero will transfer next season, and there is talk that he and Guardio have a conflict over playing time."
After Zhan Jun finished speaking, Zhang Lu smiled and said: "Actually, judging from the statistics of Jesus' four starts, his range of activities and level of activity are indeed much greater than Aguero's."
"Aguero's problem is that after his downturn, he becomes less and less fond of running for the ball. This creates a serious conflict with Guardiola's tactical system."
"Guardiola wants to build a team that can run and grab. Especially when the ball is lost in the frontcourt, it needs to counterattack and press on the spot. This requires the forward players to run actively."
"There are four changes in Monaco's starting lineup today."
"On the striker, the 18-year-old Mbappe of France's new Henry is partnered with Falcao, who is in extremely hot form this season. The two scored half of Monaco's total goals."
"Since Monaco's main center back Germersson is suspended in the backcourt, Italian center back Raggi is starting today, and the right back has been replaced by Sidibe."
"In the defensive midfield position today, Bakayoko is partnered with Brazilian midfielder Fabinho, who has recently attracted the attention of many Premier League giants."
"The last player change is on the wing. Chinese player Jiang Lai squeezed out Lemar, a regular player in Jardim's starting lineup."
"This is the first time in the history of the European competition between these two teams."
"Prior to this, Monaco has advanced to all five European knockout matches against English teams. Manchester City has faced French teams twice at home and achieved a record of 1 win and 1 draw..."
At 19:45 London time, the game officially started.
On the field, Monaco, wearing red and white jerseys, pressed forward immediately after the kick-off, showing a very obvious attitude of turning against the visitors.
Manchester City's formation, which attacked from left to right, was immediately pushed back into the backcourt.
The position of the players on Manchester City's side is very clear, it's 4141.
Guardiola's thinking today is also very clear. Yaya Toure is in the defensive midfielder, and Chu Zheng and De Bruyne push forward.
When Manchester City switches from defense to attack and holding the ball, left back Fernandinho will come to the midfield and partner with Yaya Toure in the double midfielder.
On the sidelines, Guardiola saw Monaco attacking fiercely. He stood on the sidelines and gestured and shouted with both hands, indicating that the Manchester City players should not be afraid of the opponent's pressing even if they were in the backcourt, and should not blindly kick the ball forward.
To pass the ball, break Monaco's high press.
Guardiola's targeted tactics in midfield.
Chu Zheng and De Bruyne went forward to attack the two defensive midfielders Bakayoko and Fabinho.
Guardiola's instructions were very clear before the game, which was to restrict the two initiators of Monaco's offense and not allow these two to pass the ball comfortably.
At 1 minute and 34 seconds of the game, Chu Zheng retreated along the ribs to his own left rib area outside the penalty area. Jiang Lai, who had the ball in front of him, was unable to turn around and face the penalty area.
But Jiang Lai was not a vegetarian. He knew very well how strong Chu Zheng was physically, so he did not dare to have too much physical contact with Chu Zheng. He took him back one meter and then suddenly turned left.
Then Chu Zheng was trapped by his own turf, and his right foot slipped a little while changing direction to the left.
Fortunately, Chu Zheng's core strength was strong, and he quickly got up to pursue him as soon as he put one hand on the slippery turf.
But this short one or two seconds was enough for Jiang Lai.
After taking the ball half a meter laterally, Jiang Lai knew very well how fast Chu Zheng started, and he quickly played the ball to the side.
Next to the sideline, Sidibe didn't stop the ball and directly pushed it down the bottom.
But today Manchester City's defense has Kompany in charge.
Under Kompany's command, Otamendi quickly followed up and blocked Fabinho's cross from the baseline.
Monaco gets the first corner kick.
Everyone on Manchester City's side retreated, but Monaco played a short game and quickly passed the ball back to Manchester City's left rib through Sidibe on the sideline.
Fabinho stepped in from behind and made a diagonal cross without stopping the ball.
The ball went straight to the back point and into the right rib area of Manchester City's penalty area.
Near the landing point, three Monaco players beat one Walker.
But Walker is not Zabaleta. He is tall enough, and his position judgment is very accurate. His physical confrontation is not afraid of Monaco's 190cm tall right center back Glick.
In the blink of an eye, Walker held Glick behind him, and Mendy and Mbappe, who were ahead of him, swung his head to the right and cleared the ball out of the sideline.
"Pap-pap-pap-pap!"
On the sidelines, seeing Walker's successful one-on-three clearance, Guardiola was all smiles and applauded continuously.
This defense fully demonstrated Walker's sense of danger in the penalty area, judgment of placement and strong physical fitness.
Just now, they were deceived by Monaco's short corner kick. Players in the front of Manchester City's penalty area all pressed out of the penalty area, but Walker was delayed and lagged behind. This clearly smelled the danger or saw through Monaco's attack.
Routines.
Guardiola is very satisfied with Walker's steady performance, and he and Begiristain are trying their best to get him to Manchester City.
Soon, Monaco sent a side kick near the left corner area.
It was Walker again, following Mendy from the sideline of the penalty area to the sideline, and then stretched out his foot to accurately poke the ball from the crotch of the Monaco left back to De Bruyne in front, helping Manchester City gain a chance to counterattack in the backcourt.
De Bruyne quickly went to the wing to get the ball, and then strode forward with the ball.
But Mendy was also very smart. He chased back along the inside line and stuck De Bruyne on the sideline.
In the blink of an eye, De Bruyne dribbled the ball to the outside of the penalty area.
De Bruyne knew very well that continuing to the baseline would lead to a dead end, so he suddenly spiked the ball to an emergency stop, faced the ribs, and before Buck Yorke could get close to him, he suddenly used the instep of his right outside foot to rub the ball toward the empty top left corner of Monaco's arc.
rib.
The next second, Chu Zheng came forward, and without stopping the ball, he directly kicked the ball into the ribs.
Sterling broke into the Monaco penalty area from the top corner of the penalty area and received Chu Zheng's through ball.
But Monaco goalkeeper Subasic was so determined that he didn't have many shooting angles to choose from after getting the ball outside the penalty area.
Sterling soon made a choice not to play. He wanted to cross the ball to the center or the back point, and pass the ball to Aguero in the center or Sane who was outflanking the ball from the back point.
But Subasic seemed to have read through Sterling's thoughts, and immediately jumped in front of Sterling with a second step of acceleration, just in time to save the ball from Sterling's feet and out of the baseline.
Soon, Manchester City took a corner kick.
De Bruyne passed the ball directly with his left foot and then hit Chu Zheng.
However, due to the interference of Fabinho and Sidibe, Chu Zheng missed the best time to take off and failed to head the ball.
As time passed, Manchester City continued to withstand Monaco's high press in the opening stage and gradually took control of the ball.
When the game entered the 10th minute, Guardiola's game strategy was already very clear on the court.
Guardiola's strategy today is to use short passes to control the opponent, and then use medium and long passes to speed up the game.
And Fernandinho received the midfielder position and partnered with Yaya Toure during the period when Manchester City was holding the ball, which also greatly eased the pressure on Chu Zheng and completely liberated Chu Zheng, which greatly affected Manchester City's offense.
Organization is of great significance.
Monaco, on the other hand, was still fighting for its position, attacking and counterattacking vigorously, and the situation was not at all disadvantaged.
In the 11th minute of the game, Chu Zheng suddenly sent a long pass from the arc of Manchester City's left center circle to speed up Manchester City's attack.
Chu Zheng and De Bruyne have formed an excellent passing and running understanding.
In the right rib area at the top of the Monaco arc, De Bruyne rushed to the landing point in time, stopped the ball with his right foot, and then stuffed the ball into the right rib area of the Monaco penalty area.
But the ball was not fast enough, allowing Glick to successfully intercept Aguero on the left and move forward to clear the ball.
In the right rib area about 40 meters away from the Monaco goal, Falcao and Fabinho ran to the landing spot in time.
Realizing that he was running too heavy, Fabinho quickly pulled out to his right.
After Falcao passed the ball with his back, he immediately passed it to the left in front of Fabinho. As soon as the ball came out, Chu Zheng suddenly came out halfway and intercepted the ball directly.
"Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Seeing Chu Zheng's wonderful interception, Etihad was in an uproar.
One second they saw Chu Zheng suddenly speeding up and thrusting forward. They were confused, but the next second they understood.
Because this is Chu Zheng.
As long as Chu Zheng is behind, when the forward team loses the ball, he will inevitably turn into a knife and appear on the main artery where the opponent switches from defense to offense, and then he will cut it with one knife, killing the opponent directly, just like this time.
On the field, after Chu Zheng got the ball, he saw Sidibe quickly go up to the top and cut off his route to the center. Without saying a word, he passed the ball forward with an outside foot.
Sane stopped the ball on the wing and saw Aguero and Sterling in the middle and back of the Monaco penalty area. He swung his left foot and passed directly.
But after all, it was a bit hasty. Sane's low pass gave people a sense of confusion, allowing Glick to successfully clear the ball in the right rib area of the penalty area.
But Glick's ball didn't clear far.
The ball bounced off the ground and flew towards the right rib of the Monaco arc.
Chu Zheng is right in front of the ball.
But as soon as Chu Zheng started, Fabinho on his left front suddenly came out, jumped forward and kicked the ball towards the top of the arc in the middle.
Jiang Lai, who was on the right side of the arc in the middle, quickly turned around to follow up, but Walker, who came in from behind, was faster. He reached the landing point and leaned over with a headbutt to hit the ball toward the center of the penalty area.
In the top area of the arc, Mendy quickly rushed out, stuck Aguero behind him, and kicked the ball directly to Falcao at the top of the arc with his right foot.
Falcao stood sideways and saw Yaya Toure, who was trailing behind Manchester City, on the right. He turned his right knee out and rubbed the inside of his foot. The ball flew diagonally towards Monaco's left rib.
The ball bounced in front of Jiang Lai, who was running forward from the ribs, but he didn't take it and instead gave it to Mbappe in front of him.
Monaco's left rib in the center circle, Mbappe took the ball and started immediately.
At this time, only Kompany and Otamendi are left behind Manchester City, and both full-backs are absent.
Seeing Mbappe's rocket-like acceleration, Guardiola's heart immediately rose on the sidelines. He didn't know whether the experienced Kompany could withstand the impact of the 18-year-old French forward.
In the blink of an eye, Mbappe reached the top right rib of Manchester City's arc, and Kompany stepped back and got stuck in front of him.
At this time, Mbappe has two options. One is to split the ball to the left and give him Jiang Lai on the left.
Another option is to cut inside to the right and pick out Kompany.
Mbappe didn't know how to write the word "fear" at all. He didn't even look at Jiang Lai and directly gave Kompany two consecutive bicycle kicks to Kompany on the penalty area end line at the top of the arc.
Kompany really couldn't resist and was shaken half of his body.
Seeing a breakthrough line on the front right side, Mbappe was preparing to accelerate from the front right side to the middle of the penalty area, and then hit the goal directly.
However, just when the instep of his right outside foot was about to be pushed out, a light blue figure suddenly came back from the blind spot on his right rear side and directly pushed his ball out of the baseline.
"fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Suddenly the Etihad Stadium erupted with a short and violent sound of fright!
"Kyle Walker!!"
"Very timely return to defense!" Zhan Jun exclaimed!
Zhang Lu smiled and said: "A very smart choice. He suddenly grabbed the ball from the blind area. Even if he didn't touch the ball, he could still catch Mbappe behind him."
"And you see, Walker didn't move to the side to guard Jiang Lai at all when he came back. This shows that he is sure that Mbappe will do it by himself."
"Yes, I have to thank Kyle Walker for defending Kompany this time. Otherwise, even if Otamendi in the middle moved over in time, it would probably be extremely dangerous."
"The most terrifying thing about Mbappe, a young French striker, is his ability to suddenly increase his speed, which is extremely fatal to a central defender whose movements and turns are slow," Zhan Jun said with a smile.
On the sidelines, Guardiola was applauding wildly again, approving of Walker's return to defense at all costs.
At this moment, Guardiola is very happy to let Walker start today.
Otherwise, if Zabaleta or Sagna were replaced, let alone the cut being so beautiful, they would not be able to come back in time.
Next to him, Monaco coach Jardim frowned, feeling very sorry for this counterattack. Mbappe was a little too independent and wasted an excellent scoring opportunity.
He had a feeling that Mbappe might face a test today.
This kind of test is a level higher than that in Ligue 1, but Jardim believes in Mbappe because this little guy is a super genius rarely seen in the world.
On the field, Chu Zheng was quite frightened just now.
Good guy, the ribs in the middle circle started, and in less than 4 seconds, he reached the edge of the penalty area. Mbappe's impact brought a strong visual impact.
And Jiang Lai is also fast.
If Mbappe had just taken advantage of the situation and passed the ball to Jiang Lai, then Jiang Lai could pass directly to the back post.
As Chu Zheng chased back, he saw clearly that Fernandinho was being marked from the middle because of Falcao's late pass in the middle.
Therefore, as long as Mbappe separates the sides and Jiang Lai sends the ball to the back point, Bernardo Silva, who drives in along the ribs, will directly get a single goal.
Fortunately, Mbappe, a French super genius, has the same shortcomings as other young players: he is independent and loves to express himself.